Crystal Cup wraps up successfully, despite weather challenges

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — The Crystal Cup Pond Hockey Challenge and Sid Davis Youth Memorial ran through the weekend successfully, despite facing challenges due to a drastic change in weather. 

According to event organizer Neil Evans, “the squall of all squalls” hit the region on Friday, causing extensive damage to the event site. 

“It was an ominous black cloud that kind of came in and just thundered our site,” said Evans. 

“Unfortunately, we lost the Mobile 1 [beer] gardens, the giant igloo was split literally in half. That was very unfortunate.”

The weather rolled in just two hours before the first puck was scheduled to drop, according to Evans. 

“Then, of course, out of nowhere, we got a ton of wet snow. It was everything that Mother Nature could throw at us.”

Fortunately, Evans says event staff and volunteers worked together to “salvage whatever they could and get things reorganized.”

“Come hell or high water, everyone is so dedicated to this event that it didn’t matter what happened,” said Evans.  “We were making the event happen.”

Aside from the tournament itself, the Crystal Cup offers a wide range of activities and fun for all ages. This year’s event featured a celebrity appearance from Canadian hockey legend and actor Terry Ryan Jr., who made the trip to northeast B.C. from St. John’s, Newfoundland. 

Ryan says though he’s played his share of pond hockey throughout his career, he hasn’t experienced an outdoor tournament quite like the Crystal Cup. 

“This is the best [pond hockey tournament] I’ve ever seen,” said Ryan.

“The way the whole — not only the setup on ice — but the way the community comes together, and there’s something for everybody. The [pond hockey] I’ve been to is all adults. I like how the kids are incorporated into this one.”

This year’s Crystal Cup also surprised attendees with a fireworks display on Saturday night, compliments of Charlie Lake General Store. 

“Sponsorship is one of the biggest pieces for this event to be able to make it happen,” said Evans. 

“We cannot thank the sponsors enough for making this event happen and bringing the community together. A huge shout out to them and our volunteers and organizers.”

Featuring a handful of players from the Fort St. John Huskies roster, the Jagr Bombs won the Crystal Cup for the second year in a row. 

A complete list of winners from the Crystal Cup Pond Hockey Challenge and Sid Davis Youth Memorial can be found below:

Crystal Cup Pond Hockey Challenge adult division champions: 

Crystal Cup  — The Jagr Bombs

Sapphire Cup — The Backstreet Girls

Coal Cup — The Eco-Web Leafs

Sid Davis Youth Memorial champions: 

U7 — The Spittin’ Baby Chiclettes

U9 — The Kalmar Krushers

U11 — The Lord of the Rinks

U13 — Surge Automation

U15 — Surge Automation

U18 — Tracky Boys

More information about the Crystal Cup and highlights from this year’s tournament can be found on the event’s Facebook page.